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Im rather at the moment. My mum applied for carers allowance for my father back in september, at the time he was under investigation for lung cancer and had previously had half a lung removed through the disease some 5 years ago. It left him with obvious health problems, but despite this mum was turned down for carers allowance.

The Dr advised us to persue the claim and filled in a form stating that dad suffered from Asthma, COPD and severe difficulties due to losing the lung. That was the beginning of october.

On tuesday we recieved the horrible news that his cancer had returned and was now untreatable. Having heard nothing from the claim Mum called them to find out what was happening. She was met with the most arrogant, insensitive man you could imagine. He barked down the phone that it could be another 8 weeks before we hear anything. Mum passed a comment that it was a long time to wait and that some patients could have passed on in that time, to which he snapped "well, in that case you will need a different form"

My mum doesnt need the hassle of this at the moment, she really doesnt want to waste any time she could be spending with Dad dealing with arrogant, ignorant call center staff. Is there anything I can do?
Jane
x

Sorry to hear about the position your family currently find themselves in. The person your mum spoke to is correct about needing another form - albeit that they obviously have no sensitivity or understanding of how difficult the person phoning may be finding a situation.

I've recently been helping my parents neighbour (from afar) to get through the minefield of claiming, or at least being aware of what to do when they decide to claim.

I'm not sure if your dad is already getting DLA/AA (depending on age) or at what level, but under the special rules he would now be entitled to the higher rate. I'm assuming he is getting one of these if your mum has been trying to get carers allowance. Sorry, I'm not sure how this affects carers allowance though.

Once any cancer has been diagnosed as terminal you need to request form DS1500 (sorry, I'm not sure where you get this from) & your fathers doctor or specialist will fill it in. This fast tracks the claim under the special rules and also allows payment to be weekly rather than monthly. Look here for more details:http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/core.nsf/a/wr_bull2004termill

What you need is either Disability Living Allowance OR Attendance Allowance depending on whether he's under or over age 65. And you need the fast track - normally a person has to have been suffering from whatever it is for at least 6 months, with a terminal illness this is waived.

I think you're getting a bit misled talking about 'carer's allowance'. This can be claimed as well as DLA or AA, but the main thing is to get your Dad's claim in for DLA or AA pronto. Download the forms from the link I've given you. Don't delay, don't wait for Wednesday, do it now!

Thanks Margaret, Dad is 72 and myself and my mum have looked after him over the last few years. I applied for carers allowance myself for him but was turned down on the grounds that Im a full time student. Thats when mum started her claim. Things are getting harder and a little extra money per month would help them no end.

Its a struggle to come to terms with his illness without having to worry about form filling as well and my poor mum is at her wits end. Im an only child as well so it all falls to me to hold things together. Its a difficult time all round really.

So Dad is eligible for AA at the full rate, needing care by day as well as night, and he needs it NOW - he doesn't have to wait for the 6 months' qualifying period. Get those forms filled in ASAP - you may need his GP and/or the Macmillan nurse to add a bit, but at least download the forms and make a start. It's £60+ a week which is well worth having.

From memory, if your Mum is also on retirement pension she won't be eligible for carer's allowance. CA is meant to replace earned income.

Ted Hutchinson is the knowledgeable person about all this - where are you, Ted?

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